White House Plumbers: The Secret Group That Rocked Nixon's Administration

What was the main task of the 'Plumbers' group in President Nixon's administration?

The 'Plumbers' were a covert group in President Nixon's administration, tasked with stopping leaks of confidential information, especially after the release of the Pentagon Papers.

Answer:

The main task of the 'Plumbers' group in President Nixon's administration was to stop leaks of confidential information.

The term 'Plumbers' in the context of President Nixon's administration refers to a group of individuals who were appointed to prevent leaks of sensitive information that could potentially harm Nixon's presidency. Their main objective was to investigate and put an end to any unauthorized disclosures of confidential data.

One of the most significant leaks that the 'Plumbers' group tried to stop was the release of the Pentagon Papers. These documents, leaked by Daniel Ellsberg to the New York Times in 1971, revealed classified information about the U.S. government's involvement in the Vietnam War. The publication of the Pentagon Papers caused a major political scandal and led to heightened paranoia within the Nixon administration regarding leaks.

To fulfill their mission, the 'Plumbers' group reportedly engaged in illegal activities such as espionage, wiretapping, and even breaking into the offices of political opponents. Their actions eventually culminated in the infamous Watergate scandal, which ultimately resulted in President Nixon's resignation in 1974.

It is important to recognize the role of the 'Plumbers' group in shaping the outcome of Nixon's presidency and the broader implications of their covert operations on the political landscape of the United States at that time.